ATA Crowns National Truck Driving Champions at ‘Super Bowl of Safety’

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has named Jackie Reed, a seasoned driver from Mississippi with FedEx Freight, the Bendix Grand Champion at the 2024 National Truck Driving & Step Van Championships. This prestigious event, often referred to as the "Super Bowl of Safety," was held in Indianapolis from August 21-24, drawing 422 elite drivers from 49 states.

Jackie Reed distinguished himself among the competitors with his exceptional skills, winning not only the Grand Champion title but also first place in the tank truck vehicle class. Reed's impressive career spans 34 years, during which he has logged three million accident-free miles. His victory at this event is a testament to his commitment to safety and excellence in the trucking industry.

The competition tested drivers across a range of challenges, including driving skills, vehicle inspections, and a written exam. ATA President and CEO Chris Spear praised Reed for his precision and professionalism, noting that his achievements highlight the high standards of the National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC).

In addition to Reed's accolades, the ATA also recognized Todd Gimpel, another FedEx Freight driver from Nebraska, with the 2024 Rookie of the Year Award. The state of Colorado was honored as the team champion, having achieved the highest collective score among all participating states.

The championships brought together drivers with a combined total of nearly 685 million accident-free miles, emphasizing the importance of safety in the trucking profession. Other notable awards included the Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award, given to Richard Sweeney of XPO, and the Sam Gillette Lifetime Volunteer Award, awarded to David Wiechers of ABF Freight.

This year's event showcased the best of the best in the trucking industry, with fierce competition across nine vehicle classes, further solidifying the NTDC as a premier event for professional drivers across the United States.

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Source:

https://www.trucking.org/news-insights/ata-crowns-national-truck-driving-champions-super-bowl-safety

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